300 Zoological Society-. 



the trunk : their superior contour is an obtuse angle ; their inferior 

 margin is rounded. 



In the Cephalopod described as Cranchia cardioptera, P6r., to which 

 the species under consideration has a superficial resemblance, the 

 terminal fins have a semicircular contour, and their origins are 

 widely separated anteriorly; they also extend beyond the termina- 

 tion of the trunk : the trunk, moreoA^er, is broader in proportion to 

 the head, and does not diminish gradually to a point, but is rounded 

 off at the posterior extremity. The Cranchia minima of Ferussac 

 may be at once distinguished from Lol. laticeps by the extension of 

 the trunk beyond the small rounded fins, which gives a trilobate 

 contour to the temiination of the body. 



In internal organization Lol. laticeps agrees with the other Loli- 

 gines whose anatomical structure has been ascertained. 



The fragments of the Decapodous Cephalopod obtained at Port 

 Jackson are too imperfect to allow of their being satisfactorily re- 

 ferred generically : they may, however, have belonged to a species 

 of Loligo or of Sepioteuthis. As in some species of both these 

 genera, the outer lip was characterized by eight short processes, on 

 the inner surface of which, at the extremity of each, were three or 

 four small suckers, attached by peduncles, and having precisel)^ the 

 same structure as those of the eight large exterior arms. In this 

 repetition of the structure of the external series of cephalic j^rocesses 

 there is an evident analogy to the diiferent series of labial processes 

 of Nautilus. In some species, as for instance Lol. Pealii, Le Sueur, 

 the acetabuliferous labial processes are .more developed than in 

 Mr. George Bennett's specimen. In Lol. corolliflora. Til., they have 

 been compared by Bojanus to the internal shorter series of tentacles 

 of a Medusa ; affording another evidence of the analogy, though 

 remote, between the Cephalopods and the Radiata. 



The two lateral processes at the termination of the rectum being, 

 in this instance, evidently adapted to form a valve for the closure of 

 the anus, Mr. Owen was induced to examine the corresponding 

 structure in other species ; and to conclude, from his examination, 

 that similar appendages, although varying in form and position, 

 perform the same oiiice in other Decapoda. The slenderness of the 

 anal processes in Onychoteuthis and LoUgopsis being such as to pre- 

 clude the possibility of their acting as mechanical guards, it is in- 

 ferred that they may perform the function of instruments of sensa- 

 tion, and convey the stimulus to contract to the muscular parts 

 that close the outlet of the alimentary canal. In the Octopoda the 

 anus is not similarly pro\'ided ; and, indeed, it may be generally re- 

 marked that valvular or other guards are developed among the Ce- 

 phalopoda only in such as have the jjower of propelling themselves 

 forwards in the water. 



The generative apparatus forming part of the fragments referred 

 to, Mr. Owen examined it with some care. His most important 

 observation relative to these organs relates to a small round flat 

 fleshy body, attached near the anterior aperture of each of the two 

 nidamental glands, destitute of any outlet, and of an orange colour. 



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